What was going on?
Why was this infamous playboy, a walking tabloid headline, suddenly channeling Martin Luther King Jr.?
World peace? Seriously?
You're the world's largest arms dealer, and now you want to lecture the public about peace?
And what was that part about local entrepreneurs joining forces?
Give me a break. You just brought down two of the industry's heavyweights—Osborn Industries and Hans Industries. How's anyone else supposed to survive now?
If Hans and Norman Osborn were still around, they'd tear this shameless, self-serving narcissist apart!
"Uh, Mr. Stark," a blonde reporter—clearly someone he had history with—leaned forward and raised her mic, "we've heard that your chief assistant, Miss Pepper, was also at the scene and even stopped Chairman Hans of Hans Industries from breaking the law. Is that true?"
Wow. Talk about insider information. Looks like the American police department has more leaks than a broken faucet.
Tony Stark pulled out a pair of glasses from his pocket and put them on.
"My assistant is someone who always puts others first. She works tirelessly behind the scenes. All she wants is to make a difference quietly, so please respect her privacy."
But the blonde reporter wasn't letting up. She still hadn't forgotten how Pepper had humiliated her that morning.
"Then can you tell us the exact nature of your relationship with Miss Virginia Pepper? According to eyewitnesses, you flew her away in your Hellfire Armor."
"Uh… that sounds like a private matter. Not something I can publicly comment on."
Stark cleared his throat and tried to steer the conversation.
"Doesn't anyone have any questions actually relevant to today's topic? Like the robot incident at Hans Industries?"
"Hi, I'm with The Globe Daily. Will Miss Pepper be attending this year's Super Bowl halftime show?"
Tony blinked, momentarily lost. What bowl?
"She won't be attending."
When in doubt, deny everything.
"I'm a reporter from BBB. Does Miss Pepper have any plans to enter Hollywood?"
What?
She's a top-level executive. Why would she suddenly become an actress?
Are you out of your mind?
Stark forced a polite smile.
"She's not going anywhere. She'll continue working at the company she loves."
"I'm from Playboy Daily. Will she remain in her executive role at Stark Industries?"
What kind of question is that?
"She'll continue fulfilling her responsibilities, just as she always has."
"Will she marry you?" asked a cameraman lugging a massive rig.
Of course. Gossip really is universal.
"No comment," Tony's smile was starting to crack.
"We heard she was recently hospitalized. Can you tell us which hospital she stayed at?" an intern reporter asked.
Tony's expression froze.
That was ancient history! Where do they even dig this stuff up?
"She's not coughing anymore!"
With a dramatic wave of his hand, Tony ended the press conference.
Once it was over, he sank into the back seat of his Audi Pike's Peak, with Happy driving.
"That press conference was worse than a street fight," Tony muttered, tugging at his tie like it was choking him.
"Boss, that's the price of fame. You want glory upfront, you've got to suffer behind the scenes," Happy said, eyes on the road.
"Well, well, Happy. Getting philosophical now?" Tony pulled out his phone to scroll through the news.
"It's just the company I keep. Spending every day with someone as classy and sharp as you, how could I not pick up a few things?"
"Happy, I've noticed you've become quite the smooth talker lately. You must want something from me, don't you?"
Tony had once been at rock bottom. He could smell an ulterior motive a mile away.
"Uh, boss, it's nothing serious. I was just wondering... why hasn't that new girl from Legal been coming in lately?"
Happy tried to sound casual, but his fingers kept tapping the steering wheel.
"Girl from Legal?" Tony was momentarily confused. As chairman of a major company, he didn't exactly keep tabs on department-level staffing.
Besides, the company was huge. The Legal Department alone had nearly thirty employees. Apart from the department head—a prim, elderly woman with gold-rimmed glasses—he didn't know anyone by face.
"The one who attended the Hans Industries Expo with Miss Pepper," Happy prompted when his boss remained quiet.
Oh, hell! Tony suddenly got it. Was this pudgy guy talking about Black Widow?
"You mean Natasha Romanoff?"
"I think that's her name. I was wondering why we suddenly had a beauty from the Motherland on the team. I mean, that's practically global partnership," Happy joked. The punchline fell flat.
Tony chuckled.
"What? You into her?"
"Ahem, well, I wouldn't say I'm head over heels. Let's just say... there's mutual chemistry." Happy looked embarrassed. No man likes losing face, even in front of his boss.
Tch!
Tony couldn't help but silently scoff. Black Widow? She was a master manipulator with lifetimes of experience. Mutual attraction? Please.
Get real. Even someone as devilishly handsome and charming as me—a wealthy, silver-spoon playboy—didn't stand a chance with her. And you? You're just my driver. You really think a toad can catch a swan?
Bro, it's not that I don't want to help you. It's that your expectations are sky-high. There's just nothing I can do.
"She didn't quite adjust to the company culture and decided to resign voluntarily."
Makes sense. Natasha had been planted by Nick Fury, that one-eyed devil, to keep tabs on him. Now that her mission was done, she'd been reassigned, obviously.
"Oh, I see... Did she leave any contact info or anything?" Happy asked, sounding deflated.
Tony thought to himself, Happy, she's out of your league. If you keep chasing someone like that, you're only going to end up heartbroken. Better to find someone grounded and live a peaceful life.
With nothing more to talk about, the rest of the drive passed quickly, and they arrived in New York by the afternoon.
As soon as they pulled up, Tony instructed Happy to go pick up his full-time housekeeper.
Before the sun had even set, Happy reported back. She'd been picked up and was now waiting for him in the villa's main hall.
Tony sprang off his bed. He had been waiting for this moment for far too long.
Each day had felt like a year. The only comparable moment in his life was when he'd ordered a laptop online and had to wait for it to arrive.
A woman stood quietly in the living room of the villa. Even from behind, Tony felt his heart race and blood surge as if he were ready to start a revolution.
She was even more breathtaking than her photos. Her long, jet-black hair was tied up, revealing the graceful curve of her slender, porcelain neck.
She wore a fitted black sweater that perfectly outlined her figure—so vivid, it was almost unreal.
(End of Chapter)
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